Recent Graduates and Their New Calls: Rev. Nikoli Falenschek

Maggie and I have been blessed to find calls within months of graduating from PLTS. We did not preference geographically on our assignment forms in the hopes that we might secure relational fits in communities that would complement our theology, leadership styles, and hopes for the church. I have found that fit in the Central/Southern Illinois Synod at the Lutheran Church of Mahomet (LCM) in Mahomet, IL.

The people at Mahomet have been incredibly welcoming and full of hope for our future together. They have had a tough go of it over the years, challenges which have included conflict and a pastor’s office empty of a permanent call—and yet, out of that struggle leaders have emerged. These are people passionate about the relationships built and sustained at LCM, and they are excited about the various ways in which we might serve the Central Illinois area. Confident in their strength as a faith community, they are well-poised and excited to share their faith in service and witness with those around them.

Situated as a smallish town, the Village of Mahomet claims about eight thousand people in its city limits, but many outlying developments bring the total in the area up to thirteen thousand. Located just outside the Champaign/Urbana area, this community boasts excellent schools, ranking highly in not only academic performance but also sports and music. Mahomet residents are immensely proud of their community, and loyalty to their own is rarely equaled.

I feel so blessed to serve as pastor at the Lutheran Church of Mahomet. There are many exciting ministries that happen there, and some new ones are taking shape. On Rally Sunday—September 13, 2015—we will begin a Sunday School program using Sparkhouse’s new Whirl material. This lectionary-based curriculum takes seriously the cultural, developmental, and economic variety found in LCM, which makes it a wonderful resource for our kids.

We also look forward to participating in the ELCA’s “God’s Work, Our Hands” initiative, sending hundreds of quilts from our sewing group to LWF, deepening our relationship with All God’s Children (a preschool hosted on our campus, begun many years ago by members of LCM), and continuing to identify a vision for our future. The passions and resources claimed by this community open our ministry to limitless possibilities. We are so excited to work together and be transformed by Christ’s living Gospel!

For more information: http://www.lcofm.org